Lab+2

** The OLPC’s aim is to provide educational tool for children at every school age. They state: “ In order to accomplish our goal, we need people who believe in what we’re doing and want to help make education for the world’s children a priority, not a privilege." In another word, the OLPC believes that their laptops are doing justice to the children’s education by providing them with westernized education materials. The intention is to allow children communicate and connect with each other through the mesh networks.
 * CCT205 - LAB 2**
 * What do we think of "One Laptop Per Child is a neo-colonial trojan horse."

I strongly disagree to view the OLPC as a “neo-colonial Trojan horse”. Although the OLPC could be an eye opener for children to be exposed by the programs, and materials from the developed world, we must keep in mind that the children grow up with different environments, traditions, and customs. The media and news will be irrelevant to their conditions and communities. The OLPC could serve as an educational resource, but we simply cannot see it as a “neo-colonial Trojan horse” to change their original educational customs of education, living, and rituals. The trojan horse represent America that is secretly spreading into the third world countries. Instead of importing laptops to the third world countries, perhaps the focus should be basic living necessities such as food and shelter. Technology may be a resourceful tool for educational purpose but people cannot simply just rely on these computers. Credits must also be given to parents, teachers, and/or guidance members to teach their children according to their traditions which is real interaction based rather then technological.